15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

5 hours ago, matchalatte said:

my first batch of stuff was also $1.5K! i think those lights and sanitary stuff are a killer. while they're cheaper than sg, they're not exactly very cheap also. i had my eye on the EVE bathroom shelf as well, but i think its kinda ex leh. its around 225rmb? probably translates to $40+. 

haha.. yes, the EVE shelf is very expensive.. didn't bear to buy it but just go ahead because i can't find any other better ones that are 304.
And not to mention the price in SG.. it's like 3-4x more!

I am in the hunt of these black rubber matte looking toilet accessories/tray like this one below, but can't find any in taobao.. 

 

How's your renogoing? never see much update on your thread.

[The Polates' Scandi 4-room BTO]

On 9/6/2017 at 10:06 PM, infatuation1527 said:

My ventofino is from Heritage at geylang. Not on display but can ask the salesperson to order for you. Priced at $858 because I chose the one which can swing left right and up down. Note that there is a cheaper model that only can go up down I think it's $688. Of course, the cheaper alternative is JB but hubby and I do not own a car and traveling there is very inconvenient for us. 

thanks! but looks pretty expensive . guessi will try JB. 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

Taobao Purchases

It's time to also update my taobao purchases, recently cart out my 1st batch - costing me ~ $1.5k! 
Not sure if it's too much or too little, usually taobao purchases from other t-bloggers seems to be quite high as well.

Here are my loots.

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

On 9/9/2017 at 11:22 PM, purplegirafffe said:

@Clarence Lye We selected from both in the end haha...mainly Dulux but a couple from Nippon cos Dulux didn't have certain shades that we wanted.

I see.. i never really explored Dulux colours. still a fan of Nippon. hahaha 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

56 minutes ago, purplegirafffe said:

@Clarence Lye Ohh didn't realise the website shows pics with the whole wall, if not I would have compared as well! I tried the Nippon app too but somehow the colours came out weird when I tried to "paint" on real pics heh. 

@matchalatte Hmm then how did you select the colours? Yup I think it's the "colour my world" one. Our contractor let us select from Dulux too so I guess that broadened the selection slightly! 

so your paint is Dulux or Nippon series? 
There are some lovely colours in Dulux too. 

We are looking to paint momento (Granite Glint MS149) for our MBR bedhead from Prestige Painting (anyone tried them before?), so it will look like this:

It cost $8/sqft, my wall is about 7.2sqft x 8sq ft x $8 = $460.80.
I saw a few other momento painter at carousell, but their works and finishing isn't as good as this company. If i get Nippon direct it's about $780 for one wall and i'm not painting whole wall because it's covered by the wardrobe.

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

21 minutes ago, matchalatte said:

@purplegirafffe ididnt look at the book though! iremflipping through it once and didnt see the colors i wanted. ifim not wrong the book was called "color my world" and they had very limited colors. unlessnippon has other catalogs idont know about? i chose the ones from "color creations". thenagain maybei should have compared those in the book vs the ones on nippon's website 

@Clarence Lye yes i have that app too! but so finicky to use and it doesnt really "paint" well. cant wait to see how yours turn out, i know its gonna be gorgeous! btw i see you chose 8 colors! your ID gave unlimited choices? my contractor only gave 5.

 

Heh.. never really "restrict" us on the colour or ask us to topup.. i hope not.
Just check through the contract and it's UNLIMITED. No wonder we just select without even considering that we have colours limitation. 

@purplegirafffe

I feel that viewing on the website is so much more easier to visualise. Cos you can click in they show you the whole wall with some furnishing. It only shows the colour creation series.

http://www.nipponpaint.com.sg/colours/colour-paint-chart/colour-creations/timeless-off-whites/

 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

8 hours ago, matchalatte said:

love your paint colors! i'm also using different shades of grey and i'm quite anxious. because i don't know how the color will end up in the end, will the color look darker/lighter/totally different? 

Same! But we just bite the bullet and went ahead! *haha*

Was worried that the whole house will look too greyish. But i think with some mixture of different hues should be fine.

41 minutes ago, purplegirafffe said:

Love the paint colours too, I really like the neutral/grey palette too^^ looking forward to end product!

@matchalatte I had all those worries too~ Asked my contractor and he said it'll be 98% accurate to what you see in the paint catalogue haha. Painting is now almost done and I'm glad to say he was right - colours really turned out pretty much how it looks in the book!

Thanks! 

I also downloaded the nippon visualiser app and try out. Looks ok and not too overly grey.

*Finger cross*

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

Updates on the detail drawings, selected all the paint and laminates for the whole house.

This is for our lego display cabinet and tv featured wall:

Kitchen laminates and layout:

Master bedroom walkin wardrobe, platform bed and toilet:

Painting will start on the 18th, couldnt wait to see how the whole house will look like.

The overall feel of the house will have this neutral, greyish tones aka the 50shades of grey kind with different shading of greys and wood grains finishing.
till then...

[The Polates' Scandi 4-room BTO]

8 hours ago, Diluted said:

Is that a ventofino in your last pic? Nice matt black!

love the fino too..

can share the cost and place to buy?

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

On 9/5/2017 at 5:02 PM, maverik said:

Hi Clarence, can share the contact for the kitchen hacking? Most IDs I spoke to says that it cost alotfor these works and use it as an excuse for extending the time needed to finish renovation. Many thanks!

Hi @Maverik

sure, PM-edyou.
However if you're just doing kitchen alone ,i'm not sure if he's willing to take it up as the project/earning is too minimal.

I will PM you two contact.

[My Modern Zen 2-Room 35sqm (Type 1) HDB BTO Apartment Renovation Journey]

9 minutes ago, ryanyth said:

The message ive been waiting for so long finally arrives!! 

congrats! soon you can start all the reno works and it would be even more exciting! 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

We were looking for coffee table over the weekend and saw this at courts for $299.
Not bad as it also function as a dining/computer table when you lift it up.

Weird thing is, you have to pay $59 for delivery.. crazy.
But if you buy online, it's free delivery. Make no sense at all because the sales girl told us it's because we pay for the service rendered at their store. I gave them the "are you kidding me" kind of look as there is 0 service provided. No one attended to me after loitering around the table for more than 20mins and even after we sat down the sofa. 

 

Also purchased the Eames replica chair from fortytwo as they are having sale now. $49.00 $24.90 each. No point getting from taobao because fortytwo is cheaper now.
This chair is very common among many home users I believe.. 

 

 

Our updated 3D for master toilet is up as well, the shower featured wall looks abit weird in my opinion. Shall see how it goes.

We are going down to finalise all our drawings/laminates this Tuesday and officially starting the whole reno on 18th.

Hope it will progress well. 
Anyone know where can i buy all these black toilet accessories (it's all the smooth rubbery finish kind) like the black tray and container to put tissue or soap dispenser?

[A Baker's 3 room BTO @ Skyline II]

On 8/25/2017 at 1:51 PM, matchalatte said:

another way is to do an extendable dining table that you can push into the island when not in use, something like this :

looks innovative, but wonder how much stuff we can put on it. doesn't look that strong without a base.
 

[Hacking away the old ones, bringing in the New.]

are u like providing hacking services or consultation only?

 

[A Baker's 3 room BTO @ Skyline II]

14 hours ago, matchalatte said:

eh? i have no idea why you cant see my pics. maybe because im not uploading them here but linking from imgur instead but i thought it should work. now?

i dont have the luxury of space either! mine's a 3 room BTO, my island is gonna just measure 1.5m in length but i've hacked the common room so my dining area can be bigger. since you bake, heres a hello to another fellow baker!

hehe, it's working now.
1.5m in length will be quite tight for your space, but given you hack the common room. i guess it helps. I still indecisive over how the island should be made, because i want it to function as a dining table too due to lack of space. 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

13 hours ago, matchalatte said:

lol how come? sorry i havent been really going around reading and commenting on blogs. i hardly ever logged in until i collected my keys. you mean 7th mth subcons all not working?

not really. at first we wanted to postpone and start after the 7th mth, but after thinking for awhile - since we started some reno works already, it makes no difference.
But our ID slot are pretty full, so they can't slot us for any reno during 7mth. So have to wait loh. no choice.

[A Baker's 3 room BTO @ Skyline II]

4 hours ago, matchalatte said:

for me, the island will have to match the kitchen countertop height and that is 90cm. im not using it as a dining table or bar counter, my dining table will just be placed beside the island, something like this :

no idea whether you can see the pics this time? yeah finding dining chairs the height of 85cm is tricky because its neither here nor there. you might have to customize or sit on a higher cushion on a regular dining chair. try your luck on taobao maybe?

for unknown reason, i still can't see your pics.
So with a separate dining table it would be solved. I just dont have the luxury of space.

Tried taobao, but can't find anything decent. I like the eames chair thou. 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

4 hours ago, matchalatte said:

hello howsyourreno coming along? i like your choice of laminates, im using lamitak as well, somehow i think theirs look nicer than other brands. 

hello! Thanks! Didn't expect to see you here. Haha.

My reno got delayed because there's no available slot during the chinese 7th mth prayer. So gotta wait...
 

[A Baker's 3 room BTO @ Skyline II]

16 hours ago, matchalatte said:

all cleaned up!

cant see your pictures..

 

was wondering for your island, will you be using it as a dining table as well?
what is the height of your island? I'm doing island for prep table for my baking too, but the height of 80cm - 85 seems comfortable for my height.

but the problem is in getting matching dining chair to suit that height. Any suggestions

[A Baker's 3 room BTO @ Skyline II]

can ship the mirror from taobao? didu buy direct and ship via forwarder or via ezbuy?
i tried ezbuy to buy a similar mirror but didn't went through.. 

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

14 hours ago, Actinium said:

define lifetime..
The house's lifetime? The company's lifetime? Your lifetime?

Poor workmanship in years to come?
Is it wear and tear or poor workmanship? I am sure there are lots of room to argue, that is if they actually still entertain you IN YEARS TO COME.

Another thing i am sure of.. You will be on their lowest priority the moment you hand them the final payment..

Welcome to the real world.. 

Although it's lifetime as per claimed, there is no guarantee that the company will be operating till then. But then again, at least you're signing up with a reputable company that has been around for many years rather than a fairly new company (less than 5-10yrs) that is giving lifetime warranty (if there's any)? It's more of comfort level to know at least this company won't suddenly close down? But who knows if they might suddenly run up deep into debts?

Therefore, lifetime warranty = company's lifetime.
So long company exist, you're still covered under their lifetime warranty.

Wear and tear is definitely not covered in any kind of warranty/guarantee coverage, this is for sure. There is no room for negotiation on this. 
Their lifetime warranty coverage doesn't cover wear and tear, any other things are mostly covered. (key wordis mostly, will clarify with them closer to the date and make them write to me in black and white) Such as:
1) Poor workmanship on installation of items (eg your tv console suddenly drop down?)
2) False ceiling got hole, they can come and patch it up for you if it's minor. Major ofcos you have to top up some $
3) Or if your wardrobe roller/track stuck/jam ? They can replace the roller/track for you
4) Laminates on your carpentry all start to peel after 3-5years, they can fix it for you.

These are some of the things I asked and clarified with them, there is definitely more things that are in the exclusion list for sure.
Well if you dont mind changing your items after 3-5years when it starts to spoil then of cos the lifetime warranty is not a factor to consider during reno. For us, we prefer to have something that can last as long as possible until it's really gone case, as most things now adays aren't built to last. 

Regarding the "Lowest priority", I am expecting that to happen. Usually when things happen, companies take forever to get back to you. Not just on reno, it's on everything.
That's where social media and etc comes in and help expedite things. And of cos, knowing the who to go to when there's taiji also plays a part.

Anyway, my reno project is under monitoring by their managing director and HR because i have made multiple complains against them.
I have their direct contact if there's a need for me to blow up matters, and that's provided they would entertain a small fry like me. 

Just my 2 cents, i might be wrong.
 

3 hours ago, fingerscrosssaid:

Wah chill buddy.....i used to be in svs line many yrs back....back then the trick to get manufacturers to honour warranty was..."i want to speak to your GM...or i will write to straits times forum!" Now is "i will post social media!" Its about bringing out your nasty side and things will be done. 

With age catching up....icant find myself doing this. I bot a Lxxxxxo leather sofa some 4 yrs back, was confirmed and double confirmed by the sales man that its 5 yrs warranty for everythg. Leather started to peel by the 2nd yr...lately it got worse. Checked the fine prints....alamak! Warranty only covers the frame....frame will spoil one meh??? Didnt even bother giving them a call.

Alot of all these hidden prints which include terms and condition are often not being read. That's why sometimes buy thing also have to think whether it's too good to be true, especially on warranty/guarantee periods.

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

1 hour ago, fingerscrosssaid:

Hi clarence, u got one nice display cabinet there.....tink it will go v well with urlego display. So u got reztnrelax to only do the carpentry and electrical works? I rembrgng to some home nreno fair, they had this v futuristic and atas looking booth. Spoke to a random ID abt their carpentry charges. Didn't sit down with him thou cos a mental calculation put my reno cost at the 75k to 80k range. Their selling point is life time warranty.....but with all warranties, the devil is in the fine print. 

 

hi @fingerscross,

Thanks.
Actually, r&r is doing majority of the reno. I sub-con out the kitchen hacking works only.
And yes, their main selling point to me is their lifetime warranty which no other IDs offer. The closest i found is absolook with 5years.

Given that I am intending to live there long-term, i am looking something substainable as well. I don't wish to be having any headache in years to come when things are damaged due to poor workmanship or carpentry works.

Depends on how much reno you are doing and what's your budget, they can roughly work things out. But do note, it will always exceed your budget.
My initial budget was about 42-45k, then time goes by, you will have new ideas/plan that you want to add/amend. That's where the cost start to snowball.

But 75-80k range is on the extreme high side, and for that amount you can reno a whole 5room flat. I yet to see how good their workmanship is, so i can't comment for now. I do hope it's good given the "premium" price that we paid, compared to other IDs/Contractors.

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

update on reno progress:

 

1) electrical works are done (wiring all pulled, re-wired)
2) cement screed done

Here are some pics:

 

a) Living area for display cabinet

b) entrance switch and also laid an extension plug at the bottom

c) kitchen

d) master bedroom

e) dining/fridge area

 

and cement screed:

a) Walkway towards the room


b) kitchen view

Here's a picture of my vinyl and kitchen tiles (they are leveled, heng..)

Here's another picture of the vinyl and the slope kerb at common toilet:

[15 Shades of Grey - 4 RM BTO @ Woodlands Glen]

On 8/19/2017 at 4:02 PM, spikeling said:

Hi, can you PM me your contractor's contact for the kitchen tiling works? Thanks. BTW, why don't you overlay the kitchen floor with tiles instead?

sure, I can PM you the contact.

Reason of hacking is because i'm doing vinyl floor and I wanted my vinyl floor (living and whole house) to be level with the kitchen floor.
If I overlay the kitchen floor, my overall height for the whole house will increase, therefore it will affect my entrance kerb and toilet slope kerb (because entrance kerb and vinyl is also level and i'm only overlaying my master toilet and not my common toilet.)

therefore if height increased, the common toilet vinyl will sit about 5-8mm higher (because of the overlay tile height) on top of the existing toilet slope kerb created by HDB, which will can be resolve easily if you are using the slope looking trimming (which i personally didn't like.) that looks like a hump.

see my below illustration for a clearer picture. hope that helps. (not to scale but the idea/concept is there):

 

 

[Our 4-Bedder Resale Condo Reno Journey 54.5k (excl electric works)]

13 hours ago, fingerscrosssaid:

Tips for a smooth reno

This would be our 4th reno project. I can still remember some 20yrs back when we bought our first house in TPY ... a modest 3-room resale HDB. Back then there were very few IDs & engaging one would have cost an arm & a leg. The whole house reno inclusive of hacking 2 walls & floor, tiling, rewiring, plumbing & carpentry cost less than $17k. Engaging an ID would have cost us at least double.

ID vs Contractor:
Today reno cost has risen in line with everything else. ID firms have sprung up like mushrooms after the monsoon. Even some old school contractors & carpenters provide design services. I feel ID firms provide greater value for money, reason being they have the volume. They are able to get better rates from suppliers & offer attractive packages. So far no package deals for resale condo

IDs have ego:
Designers tend to have big ego. A bit like the delusional hubby who thinks he packs an 8-incher. If a design is not to your taste, reject tactfully. If all else fails usefengshui as an excuse. Saying something is ugly is like the wife asking the delusional hubby "Is it in yet?". 
Thankfully my previous & current reno projects went through a smooth design phase & I didn't find myself having to say "Yah, this is nice but ..."

Don't leave everything to the ID:
As the home owner, we are only handling 1 reno project & we already find it overwhelming. Now imagine the ID who is handling 2 to 5 reno projects at various stages of progress, & another maybe 10 to 15 projects at various stages of negotiations. Add to that equation that each project has gone through 3 rounds of changes in design & color selection, that is a whole lot of information to process & remember. Let your ID know you have got his back & you see him as a partner. He/She is someone who will work closely with you & not for you.

Hiccups are bound to happen:
All 3 previous projects of ours had hiccups here & there. Keep cool & remember that all problems can be solved. Always opt for modifying/changing designs & work around the problem rather than asking ID to redo everything. The cheapest solution is the best solution. 

great tip! 

eventhou I signed up with ID, I am still very much involved in every bit of everything, as I don't fully trust them. I always believe that it's always better to be hands on, since it's our own home afterall rather than the ID/contractor's home.

 

LOL on the ego part.